Smithsonian Collections

The Smithsonian's collections represent our nation's rich heritage, art from across the globe, and the immense diversity of the natural and cultural world.

The scope of objects in Smithsonian collections is staggering—from ancient Chinese bronzes to the Star-Spangled Banner; from a 3.5 billion-year-old fossil to the Apollo lunar landing module; from the ruby slippers featured in The Wizard of Oz to presidential memorabilia. Scholars and scientific researchers at the Smithsonian, and around the world, use these vast collections in their research to expand human knowledge.

Collections At A Glance

154 million artifacts, works of art, and specimens in the Smithsonian's collections

145 million of these specimens and artifacts are held by the National Museum of Natural History

The Smithsonian is a leader in the field of protecting and preserving our national heritage. Individual museums have Conservation departments dedicated to the care of objects in their collections. Researchers at the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) work to better understand how materials and composite objects deteriorate in order to develop and improve conservation techniques and technologies.